Northampton is a community that prides itself on its sophisticated restaurant portfolio, yet one of the busiest eateries in town is also among the least pretentious.

Serving unapologetically mainstream fare, the Bluebonnet Diner is so popular it often has a waiting line at mealtime.

Owned and operated by the Greco family, the Bluebonnet started out as a 1950 Worcester Lunch Car Company diner. Over the years a lounge and a banquet facility have been added on; the Bluebonnet today is a sizable, simply decorated dining venue in which booths are the dominant seating option.

An assortment of sandwiches leads off the lunch and dinner menu. The bill of fare includes the likes of a Luckyburger ($6.29) and a Chicken Cordon Bleu ($9.79) as well as between-bread specialties such as a Pulled Pork Sandwich ($8.99), a Stuffed Croissant ($8.59) filled with chicken salad, and various club sandwiches. Hot dish entrees at the Bluebonnet range from seafood favorites such as Fish Cakes ($10.79) and Broiled Swordfish ($17.79) to Italian dinners like Baked Meat Lasagna ($14.29) and Chicken Parmesan ($13.59).

"Broasted" chicken, roasted meats like Top Round ($16.79) and Roasted Stuffed Loin of Pork ($14.99), and from-the-grill favorites like Beef Liver ($12.79) round out the main course suggestions.

For starting or snacking, the Bluebonnet offers choices like Boneless Wing Dings ($7.99), Potato Skins ($5.79), and Baked Stuffed Mushroom Caps ($6.79) An icon of "white bread" cuisine, the Hot Turkey Sandwich ($11.59) we enjoyed featured white and dark meat turkey layered atop a slab of bread; a ladle of gravy and a bread slice "garnish" completed the composition.

The turkey tasted freshly roasted, we were pleased to note, and the gravy had the mellow Thanksgiving flavor that we'd hoped to experience. Naturally, a hearty dab of cranberry sauce was part of the presentation.

Meals at the Bluebonnet Diner typically come with a choice of two sides. The butternut squash puree we opted for was mildly spiced and gently sweetened, while our unconventional fried eggplant selection was cornmeal crusted and a bit firmer than we'd preferred.

Our second entree choice, Baked Meatloaf ($12.59) was another blue-plate classic. Two half-inch-thick slabs of meatloaf delivered moist, pleasantly seasoned ground beef enjoyment; a quite serviceable gravy had been ladled over the meatloaf and the accompanying mashed potatoes.

Pies, the dessert cornerstone of any lunch counter menu, can be enjoyed in a rotating assortment that includes apple, pecan, Boston cream, and lemon meringue. Homemade pudding varieties such as Grapenut, Rice, and Bread Pudding (all $3.79) are featured, as are the likes of Pineapple Upside Down Cake ($3.29) and a Brownie a la mode ($4.79).

A Fresh Apple Square ($3.79) proved to be a noteworthy finale, thanks to flaky piecrust sandwiching a fresh apple filling. A decorative drizzle of icing layered on a supplementary hint of sweetness.

Equally satisfying, a wedge of Chocolate Cream Pie ($3.29) had all the requisite components in place - crisp crust, rich pudding-style filling, and topping of whipped cream.

Breakfast is an all-day occasion at the Bluebonnet Diner, with a wide range of options available, like Blueberry Pancakes ($5.99), Texas Style French Toast ($4.59), and various three-egg omelets.

Eggs Benedict ($7.59) can be ordered, as can breakfast sandwiches such as a Sausage Patty and Egg on an English Muffin ($4.29) The Bluebonnet's short order cooks are, of course, ready to dish up various traditional "two egg" combinations.

During a late morning visit we sampled the Bluebonnet's Apple Pancakes ($5.59). Folded over warm sliced and spiced apples, the two fluffy cakes made for a hearty day-starting combination, especially when enjoyed with Massachusetts maple syrup ($1.49) and a side of link sausage ($2.29).

For hearty, Middle America fare served in an "everybody-knows-your-name" context, the Bluebonnet, we decided, has few equals.